Today's Opinions

I understand the sentiment of those who are calling us to say that they do not want their medical care delivered from Washington. But I also understand that 50 percent of all health care in this country is either paid for or provided through the federal government. That includes Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Tricare Standard, Tricare for Life, Veterans Health Care, Military Health Care, Indian Health Care, the Public Health Service, and the Federal Employees Benefit Program.

Contrary to what State Sen. Mick Mulvaney’s article said last week, not every federal program has led to socialism or even socialized medicine.

For more than 60 years, presidents in our country (starting with President Harry Truman) have tried to enact a federal health care plan that would cover everyone and not exclude anyone for a pre-existing condition. Over those 60 years, Republicans in Congress and their supporting lobby interests have succeeded in killing all such plans.

Choices: We make them everyday. Most, we make without giving a thought to how these choices will affect our neighbors. Being a responsible pet owner, as well as a good neighbor, however, takes effort and thought. Case in point: Keeping your pet (dog) in your yard.

Outdoor activities are enjoyed by numerous people in my neighborhood. On any given evening, you may see a couple jogging, a father and son bike riding or others walking their dogs.

In my first race for Congress a local reporter in Myrtle Beach had taken a few words from an interview and used them in a different context to paint a picture that was far from what I believed. When I confronted him on taking my words out of context his simple reply was, “Life is out of context.”

The Hospitality Tax is something the City Council has kept secret for years. But now the secret has become uncovered since more than one minority is serving on council. There have been more requests for funding since Linda Blackmon-Brace, Kenny Hood and Tamara Green were elected to City Council.

But there is one council member, who has forgotten how he got where he is. Growing up, something other than his family’s income paid for his basic needs.

The protests at the town hall meetings have hit a nerve. Our duly elected officials were merely trying to inform the public of the health care bill, but hecklers made it impossible to get the story straight.

They want to blame their misfortune on the politicians, when this bill is designed to help the American people. The opposition’s careless attitude gets in the way of making it easier for people without insurance to get it, either subsidized or gratis.